US urges Americans to avoid most travel to Bahrain

Washington: The US has urged its citizens
to "defer non-essential travel" to Bahrain in view of the
ongoing violent clashes between security forces and
anti-regime protesters, who are demanding political reform in
the kingdom.

"The US Department of State strongly urges US citizens
to avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful ones can quickly
become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of
harassment or worse," the State Department said in a travel
advisory.
"There are confirmed reports of violent clashes
including weapons fired between protesters and security forces
in various parts of the city. Spontaneous demonstrations and
violence are expected throughout the next several days," it
said.
"While demonstrations have not been directed toward
Westerners, US citizens are urged to remain alert to local
security developments and to be vigilant regarding their
personal security," it added.

On Thursday, security forces stormed a square in the
capital Manama, killing four people and injuring around 200.